Purdue Homecoming week to feature several activities

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University's Homecoming 2010 will have something for everyone, including a traditional pep rally, parade and family events.

The events kick off Oct. 13 and conclude with the Homecoming football game against the University of Minnesota at noon on Oct. 16 at Ross-Ade Stadium.

The celebration includes:

* The Homecoming Kickoff Cookout from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 13 on the front lawn of Purdue Memorial Union. Students showing Purdue identification can get free food and participate in games. Food will be first come, first served.

* A pep rally on Slayter Hill that begins at 7 p.m. Oct. 13. This event is earlier in the week than in previous years. Football coach Danny Hope will be at the rally, and the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band, cheerleaders, Glee Club and Purduettes will perform. The Homecoming queen and king also will be announced. Profiles of the queen and king candidates are available at http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/events/2010/100917JonesHomecoming.html

* The Homecoming CandiDATE Auction at 7 p.m. in the Purdue Memorial Union Commons. Students with Purdue identification can bid on dates with the Homecoming queen and king candidates. The highest bidders will receive date packages provided by local businesses. Proceeds will benefit the Lynn Treece Boys and Girls Club of Tippecanoe County.

* The Boilermaker Night Train Parade will begin at 8 p.m. Oct. 15 on McCormick Road at State Street. It will head north to Third Street, east to Martin Jischke Drive, north to Stadium Avenue and west to Slayter Hill. The parade will feature floats and walking and motorized units decorated with this year's theme Boiler Up the Beat.

* A family-friendly Celebration on the Mall from 9-11 a.m. before the game on Oct. 16. Events will stretch from Lambert Fieldhouse across Stadium Avenue and along Stadium Mall. Colleges and schools will have tents or open houses. Games and inflatables will be available for children.

Entertainers will perform on a stage near Armstrong Hall during the event. Included will be Purdue Raas, Black Voices of Inspiration, the "All-American" Marching Band and the Purduettes. The Homecoming queen and king will be introduced.

At the conclusion of the Celebration on the Mall, the "All-American" Marching Band will lead a march to the stadium.

The parade, pep rally, blood drive and Celebration on the Mall are free and open to the public. Food will be available for purchase at the family-friendly event.